A 27-year-old man has been told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work after he sold 179 pairs of fake trainers online.

Tobi Akinsola, New Cheltenham Road in Kingswood, was found guilty by jury on February 27 following a two day trial at Bristol Crown Court.

He protested his innocence to five charges under the Trade Marks Act for selling and possessing for sale the counterfeit footwear.

As well as being forced to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, Akinsola who was sentenced on March 29, was told he may be forced to pay a fine of £8630 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

South Gloucestershire Council's Trading Standards Team raided Akinsola's address with police officers and seized the fake items after a test purchase were confirmed as counterfeit.

Paypal records were also obtained which indicated Akinsola had sold a total of 179 pairs of the counterfeit branded trainers between January 2017 and January 2018, generating a total of £8,630.15.

In court, it was established that Akinsola had failed to heed warnings from customers that he was selling counterfeit trainers.

Mark Pullin, Strong, Safer Communities Manager at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “The sale of counterfeit goods not only harms the original manufacturer, but often also means that the purchaser receives low quality goods that have not been subject to the same tests and standards as the official items.

“The Trade Marks Act 1994 covers offences for businesses selling and possessing for sale counterfeit goods, and the maximum punishment for a conviction is 10 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

“Anyone who suspects they may have been sold counterfeit goods is urged to report it to Trading Standards by calling 03454 04 05 06.”